Miguel Angel Escobar, writing in “ECF Vestry Papers,” shows how applying generative leadership principles can help congregations move toward stronger stewardship and creative ministry. (Photo: laffy4K, Creative Commons)
Dealing with Christmas Debt Hangover
Church attendance goes up in January but giving goes down as people begin to pay off the Christmas spending. The Rocket Company offers four ideas for how to help parishioners avoid debt hangover in the future and become better stewards. (Photo: Mike Kline, Creative Commons)
Wet & Well Pleased
Lectionary Reflection for the Baptism of Jesus, January 11, 2015
Do we see our baptism as a commissioning, as the point in which we are continually called to dive into the deep waters of mission and ministry ourselves? We walk in Jesus’ wet footprints, to be sure, but each one of us is called, named, claimed, and sent. (Photo: Joe Mabel, Creative Commons)
No Place Like Home
Narrative Lectionary Reflection for January 4, 2014 (Year 1), Second Sunday of Christmas
Home. There’s no place like home, or so the saying goes. This week’s story stretches from the holy family’s flight from home into Egypt to escape King Herod’s vitriol and murderous intent and back again. In a sense we are all refugees, but thankfully God erases the borders we construct, naming and claiming us in baptism. (Photo: Ted, Creative Commons)
Resolve to be Green in 2015
Creation care doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are five simple ways you can do a better job of caring for the earth. A little bit of effort goes a long way! (Photo Steve Snodgrass, Creative Commons)
Hidden in Plain Sight
Second Sunday of Christmas Year B Lectionary Reflection
January 4, 2015
We look for God in all kinds of places when the Divine Presence is all around us all of the time–hidden in plain sight, often inside the carefully preserved and treasured edifices in which God’s people gather for worship, even more often in the poor, the lonely, the imprisoned, the widowed and orphaned, and the hungry among us. (Photo: Victor Ramos, Creative Commons)
Sing a Song of Christmas Joy!
Lectionary Reflection for the First Sunday of Christmas, Year B, December 28, 2014
Perhaps today’s ordinary yet extraordinary story from the scant reporting of Jesus’ childhood is a reminder to us that even in the midst of the ordinary, as Christians we are marked by the extraordinary love and mercy of the Creator of the Cosmos. We dare not forget this fact, even as we work, play, love, eat, and grow. (Photo: Derry Oates, Creative Commons License)
Enter Here
Narrative Lectionary Reflection for December 28, 2014 (Year One)
One of the wonderful aspects of the Narrative Lectionary is that we are afforded the opportunity to enter into the Christmas story one more time. And we’ll hear it without any of the pressures and expectations that so often accompany the faithful and seekers alike on Christmas Eve. How will you make the most of this opportunity? (Photo: Waiting for the Word, Creative Commons License)
Dream a Little Dream of Messiah
Narrative Lectionary for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year One
Tell Joseph’s unlikely story of dreams, of decisions, and of righteous intentions. Invite us all to dream a little dream of Christmas—not of sugarplums and reindeer clatter but rather of peace, of justice, and of salvation. Set the stage for the real work of Christmas to begin. (Photo: Ted, Creative Commons)
Stewards of Advent Time: Be
Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B, December 21, 2014
“…let it be with me according to your word,” says Mary. Let it be. What a statement of radical assent! What an affirmation of faith, a declaration of trust, and a testament to courage! This week we once again remind ourselves that we stand with Mary, with Peter, and with all the faithful witnesses to the Good News of Jesus Christ. (Photo: Paukrus, Creative Commons)
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